At the New-York
Historical Society, there is a new bottom line: New York history is out.
The 200-year-old city treasure possesses the greatest collection of
resources on the city's history but a major contributor to right-wing
causes has recently become head of the Board of Trustees and has quickly
made his influence felt.

This is a tragedy. And the way it is happening
is even worse.

Richard Gilder, a top Republican donor, and his team
recently fired the senior history museum professional and canceled
several shows. Gilder has a personal collection of American historical
documents and has worked out a deal to house them at the society, while
retaining complete control over their use.

As if embracing the power
of money to change the direction of the institution, Gilder has chosen
to festoon the entire Central Park West façade of the society with a
giant $10 bill - the one with Alexander Hamilton on it. The entire
museum will be given over to an exhibition celebrating Hamilton, at a
cost of $5 million, 10 times the cost of any previous exhibition.

Instead of showcasing the society's collections and building its
endowment, the historical society is marking its bicentennial year by
becoming a vanity museum for a single donor. Instead of an exhibit
marking the centennial of Times Square that would celebrate the messy
vitality of New York's crossroads, there will be a temporary café
celebrating the Founding Fathers. I was the guest curator for the Times
Square exhibit and believe that this city's history at the very least
deserves a place alongside the Founding Fathers.

Here's why every New
Yorker should care what happens in that old hulk of a building:

Gilder's coup continues a dangerous corporatization of America's
historical institutions. Too many have allowed their direction to be
transformed by the smell of money. At the New-York Historical Society,
decisions are being made by the biggest donor, while its scholars and
curators follow orders under threat of being fired. Historical
institutions across the country struggle to achieve this delicate
balance: relying on donations, but demarcating a clear line between
support and meddling.

In New York, things have quickly gone too far.
We need to let the society know that New York is no longer for sale for
a Gilder or two.

Page is associate professor of architecture and
history at the University of Massachusetts Department of Art.